Outside stabilizing means for expansion roof tanks



June 23, 1942. 1.. A. WILKIN ET AL 2,287,586 OUTSIDE STABILIZING MEANS FOR EXPANSION ROOF TANKS Filed March 21, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Q QM WW Nv d QM. N\ mm MM mm June 23, 1942- A. WILKIN ET AL OUTSIDE STABILIZ ING MEANS FOR EXPANSION ROOF TANKS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 21, 1940 INVEAZQRS. CZ W4! 07, 7267;

LEE

June 1942- L. A. WILKIN ETAL ,2

OUTSIDE STABILIZING MEANS FOR EXPANSION ROOF TANKS Filed March 21, 1940 S Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented June 23, 1942 I oU'rsinE s'rABmziNG MEANs FOR EXPANSION noon 'rANKs Y Lester A. Wilkin and Charles L. Marner, East Chicago, Ind., assignors to Graver Tank & Mfg. Co., Inc., Oatasauqua, Pa., a corporation of Delaware Application March 21, 1940, Serial No. 325.146 (o1. 220-26) through one of the depending posts showing the 8 Claims.

The invention relates to storage tanks for storing volatile liquids such as gasoline and the like and has reference particularly to an improved roof of the gas holder type capable of vertical movement to vary the vapor space within the tank.

The evaporation of the liquid during the heat of the day increasing the vapor pressure within the tank and in order to conserve said vapors a movable roof is provided. Bymovement of the roof to increase the'space'above the liquid the valuable vapors are .retained within the tank and during. the-cool ofthe night the vapors condense, with the. same procedure being repeatedthe followingday. The production/of vapors 1 during the day following by subsequent. cooling and condensing'iduring the night is {known as breathing and in large tanks, particularly if only partly filled, such breathingis substantial. Also when the, gasoline is pumped into the tanks the agitation increases the generation of vapors although the filling operation decreases the vaporspacer As a result the pressure of the vapors within the tank during a filling operation may become dangerously high. 7

An object of the invention is to provide an improved gas holder type of roof for oil storage tanks which will have movement to increase or decrease the vapor space within the tank; I

Another object resides in the provision of novel stabilizing means for the movable roof which will maintain the roof substantially horizontal during vertical movement thereof and which will prevent ungesirableTrltation. of the roof. v Y

Another-object. is to provide stabilizing means for a movable roof of the gas holder type which will be located substantially circumferentially of the tank and preferably on the exterior thereof aintena c with; these andvarious other objec'ts in view so as tof be. readily available for inspection and them,- invention may consist} of certain novel features of construction and operation aswill' be more fullyydescribed and particularly pointed out numeral w are strengthened and reinforced at in 'the specification, drawings and-claims ap- I pended hereto.

In the drawings whichillustratearr-e odiment of the invention and wherein like reference characters designate likefparts- Figure 1 is errant tary horizontal sectional view illustrating-the improved outside stabilizing means of the invention;

Figure 2 is a detail sectional 'view' 'take'n cable means associated therewith;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary elevational view 0 i Figure 7 is an elevational view of the structure of Figure 6 including a pair of spaced depending relation with connecting posts in associated cables;

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view taken sub stantially along line 88 of Figure 6 showing the modified stabilizing means of the invention applied to aconventional open top tank;

Figure 9 is an elevational view, parts being shown in section, of an expansion roof tank embodying the invention shown in detail in Figures 1 to ,5 inclusive; and

Figure 10 is an elevational view, parts being shown in section, of an expansion roof tank embodying the invention shown in detail in Figures 6, '7 and 8.

The invention is 'shown'as applied to an open top tank such as disclosed in the patent to Philip S. Graver No. 2,277,398, granted March 24, 1942, wherein the tank is provided with a. launder extending around the top thereof and a bell holder typeof roof isassociatediwith said launder -so that the interior of the tank is sealed from the atmosphere although the roof is free to move vertically. 'In the apparatus of the invention as shown in Figures 1 to 5 inclusive, the cylindrical walls ii of the open top tank identified by their upperends' by outwardly extending shell girders l2 and is suitably secured in'spaced relation to the tank walls as by the angle members M. 0n the inside of the tank walls substantially opposite the shell girders a cylindrical member it provides a launder I6 having a base formed by the angle piece -I I.

The inwardly directed angle members ill on the upper end of the memher [5 suitably reinforce said member so that the launder is able to withstand the pressure of 1 the column of-w'ater or oil providing the sealing liquid for sealing the roof with resp'ect to the open top tank.

- located The movable roof in the form of a holder bell same is suitably secured to the outer periphery of the roof by the angle member 23, the proper spaced relation being maintained with respect to the cylindrical walls II of the tank to accommodate the stabilizing means.

Depending from the roof 20 at intervals around the periphery of the same are a plurality of substantially cylindrical posts 25, the same being suitably secured to the roof 20 as at 26 and substantially midway between the weather hood 22 and the cylindrical wall II of the tank. In this form of the invention a circumferential cable 21 extends around the exterior of the tank, being located within the space protected from the weather by the hood 22. As

. the left since tension is applied to cables 28 and shown in Figure 2, the cable 21 is located above the shell girder I2 and cables 28 and 30 connect the same with a depending post 25. Each of the auxiliary cable is suitably secured to the circumferential cable 'at 3I and the shell girder I2 supports sheaves 32 and 33, respectively, over which the auxiliary cables are adapted to pass. Cable 28 pisses over its sheave 32 and extends downwardly substantially parallel with the depending posts 25, having connection at the base thereof by means of the hook 34. Cable 30 has contact with the underside of its sheave 33 to extend upwardly for connection with the roof 20 by means of the hook 35.

The depending posts are operatively connected to the circumferential cable 21 by auxiliary cables in a manner as above described and each post is confined for vertical movement by means of guiding rollers 36 supported by the shell girder I2 and similar guiding rollers 31 supported by the lower shell girder I3, it being understood that the girders are provided with openings permitting the depending post to pass through so that the rollers have guiding contact with the exterior of the post.

During operation of the movable roof the launder I6 will contain oil or water as a sealing medium for the depending skirt 2| so that the interior of the tank is sealed from the atmosphere although the roof is free to move vertically to increase or decrease the space above the liquid within the tank. When the pressure within the tank exceeds the weight of the holder bell, including the roof. the depending skirt, weather hood and posts, the roof will tend to rise and it is this movement that is controlled by the depending posts 25 and the circumferential cable' 21. Each'post'is suitably guided in a substantially vertical direction by the guiding rollers 36 and 31. The cable 21 is also supported for movement by the auxiliary cables 28 and 30 and by rollers 38, Figure 5. suitably supported from the tank walls by a bracket 39 and which are located at points intermediate the depending posts. Vertical movement of the roof in an upward direction, for example, will apply tension to the cables 30 which is communicated to the circumferential cable 21 to impart movement to said cable in a direction toward the right, Figure 3. It will be clearly understood that movement of cable 21 cables 30 are played out to permit said movement and control the descent of the roof. Movement of the circumferential cable 21 will assist in moving the posts in unison and to an equal amount. As a result the roof will be maintained. v

in a substantially horizontal plane during its up and down travel in a vertical direction. Also undesirable rotation of the roof during vertical movement is efiectively prevented.

In the form of the invention shown'in Figures 6, '1 and 8 the movable roof I20 has depending therefrom a skirt I2I and a weather hood I22 which forms with the cylindrical walls III of the tank an annular space on the exterior for accommodating the stabilizing means of the invention. The skirt I2I provides in connection with the launder II6 the conventional liquid seal preventing escape of the vapors from the tank although permitting the roof to move up and down to vary the vapor space above the liquid.

The depending posts I25 are suitably secured at their upper end to the roof and said posts extend through aligned openings in the circular shell girders H2 and H3 which carry rollers having guiding contact with the post to confine its movement to a substantially vertical plane. In this form of the invention the circumferential cable is omitted and in its place a plurality of cables I21 are provided for operatively connecting adjacent depending posts; As shown in Figure '1 cable I21 at its left hand end passes over sheave I32 and depends downwardly substantially parallel with the post I25 for connection therewith at its base by means of the hook I34. The other end of the cable I21 passes under sheave I33 and extends upwardly for connection with the roof through the hook I35. Each cable is connected at one end to the base of a depending post and at its other end the cable is connected to the roof at a point where the adjacent post connects with the roof or to the said adjacent post itself. Any movement of the roof caused by pressure within the tank will result in upward movement of the posts and by means of tank.

To insure free and easy movement of each cable I21 the cables are spaced from the cylindrical wall III of the tank by rollers I38 supported on vertical bearings by brackets I39. The brackets in turn rest on the annular girder' H2 and by proper spacing of the rollers between adjacent posts each cable may have free movement and at the same time the cable is held out of contact with the tank walls. A turn-buckle I40 is employed in connection with each of the cables I21 in order to'take up any slack in said cable and keep the same relatively taut. The weather hood 22 and I22 protect the outside stabilizing means from rain and snow and by inspection doors in said hood repairs to the cables, sheaves and posts of said stabilizing structure can be made with very little trouble and it is not one of said auxiliary cables'pa'ss its post at thei'bas'e' thereof; the- 5th tails of construction at the particular embodiment thereof illustrated by the drawings, as vari- 0115, other forms of the device will of course be apparent to those skilled in the'art without departing from the spirit 'of the invention or the scope of the claims.

What is claimed is: 1. In a storage tank for spect thereto to vary the vaporspace within the tank, means providing a seal between the tank and the motto confine vapors within the tank,

' means for; guiding the roof in its up and down travel including posts depending from the-roof and located exteriorly of the tank, a cable ex-- tending around the exterior of. thetank and supported thereby for circumferential. movement, and means connecting said cable to the top and bottom of each post respectivelyiand' arranged to cause movement of said cable inone direction as a result of up travel of the roof and movement of the cable in the opposite direction as a resultof down travel of the roof, whereby'the roof maintains a'substantially horizontal position during said travel.

2. In a storage container for gas or liquid, an open toptank arranged to providea body of volatile liquids, an expansion roof for said tank movable with recable means extending between adjacent posts and operatively connecting the posts to control upward movement and also descent of the same, each said cable means at one end having connection with the base of a post and at its other end connecting with approximately the top of the next adjacent post in a certain direction 'circumferentiall'y of the tank, and sheaveshaving contact with the intermediate portion of each said cable means, whereby the posts are constrained to move in unison and which movement will beequal-forall the posts to maintain the roof horizontally positioned during up and down travel thereof.

5. In a storage tank for volatile liquids, an expansion roof for said tank movable with respectthereto to vary the vapor space withinthe tank, means providing a seal between thetank and roof to confine vapors within the tank, means guiding the roof in its up and down. travel including posts depending from the roof and spaced circumferentially around the exterior of the tank, cable means extending between adjacent posts and operatively connecting the posts sealing liquid, an expansion roof for said tank movable with respect thereto to vary the vapor space withinthe tank,'said roof having a; dependin eripheral skirt located within thesealing liquid so as to conflne'the gaseous mediumwithin the tank, means-for, guiding the roof in 1 its up and down travel including posts depending 1 from the roof and located exteriorly' of the, tank,

a main cable extending: around the tankandsupported thereby forlcircum ferential movement, an a annular girder projecting outwardly 1' f exterior ofthe tank andsupportin the respective sides of each post, a cables connecting each post. with' said and extending downwardly ror.-.

cable passing under egsheaveandv xt wardly .for connectionwithjthe whereby said main cableghas movementwith the upand down travel offtheroof to] thereby main-" "horizontally "positionedduring said V I tain the roof travel. a a I 3. .In a storage tank 'for volatile liquidsa an,

expansion roof for said tank movable with re- 1 spect thereto to varythe vaporspace. within the to control upward movement and also descent of the same, each said cable means at one end having connection with the base of a post and at its other end connecting with the top'of the next adjacent post in a certain direction circumferentially' of the tank, and a girder projecting outwardlyfrom the tank and providing a'support for sheaves having contact with the intermediate portion of each said cable means, whereby the vposts are constrained to move in unison and which movement will be equal for all the posts to maintain-the roof horizontally positionedduring up and down travel thereof. j 6. .In-astorage container for gas or liquid, an

open top tank arranged to provide a body of sealing liquid, an expansion roof movable with U f frespect-thereto to varythe vapor space within 3 ;theftank,-said'roof having a de'pending- 'peripheral irtlbcatdwithin the tank, means for guiding theT'roMfinfitsjup and down travelfinclu'ding posts i ependmgjrom the roof and p'acedfcin j cumferential1y. with respect to, th nk, cable means extending between adjacent "and operatively connecting the poststo' pward movement and also descent oiath me, each said cable means at one endhaving connection 1 withthe base of a post and atrits' other endcon 3 .I.necting with approximately the top of the next "adjacent-post in a certain directioncircumferentank, means providing a seal between-the tank and roof to confine vapors within the tank, means guiding the roof in its upj'and down'travel' ineluding posts depending from the roof and spaced circumferentially around the exterior of the tank, cable'mean's extending between adjacent posts and operatively connecting the posts to control upward movement and also descent of the tially of'the tank-and at least two'sheaves having contact with the intermediate portion of eaph .said cable means, whereby the posts are constrained to move in unison and which movesame, and sheaves having contact with the inter-- mediate portionof each said cable manawhereby the posts-are constrainedltomove' in unison and which movement'will be equal for all the posts to thereby maintain-the roof horizontally positioned during up and down travel thereof;

4. In astorage tank for volatile liquids, an

expansion roof for said tank movable with respect thereto to vary thevapor space within the tank, means providing a seal between the tank I and roof to confine vapors within the tank, means guiding the roof in its up and down travel including posts depending fromnthe roof and spaced circumferentiallywith respect to the tank, 7

ment will be equal for allthe'pos'tsito maintain v the roof horizontally positioned during up'an'd down travel thereof.

, 7. In a-storage container for'ga orliduid; an open top tank arranged to proyide a body of sealing'liquid, an expansion roof movable with respect thereto to vary the vapor space-within the tank, said roof having a depending peripheral skirt located within the sealing ligu and at its other end connecting with the top of the next adjacent post in a certain direction cirmeans for guiding the roof in its up and down travel including posts depending from the root cumferentially of the tank, a girder projecting outwardly from the tank and providing a support .for sheaves having contact with the intermediate portion of said cable means, whereby the posts are constrained to move in unison and which movement ,will be equal for all the posts to maintain the roof horizontally positioned during movement thereof, and a weather hood depending from the periphery of said root for protecting the posts, cable means and sheaves.

8. In a storage container for gas or liquid, an open top tank arranged to provide a body of and spaced circumferentially around the exterior of the tank, a girder projecting outwardly sealing liquid, an expansion roof movable with 15 respect thereto to vary the vapor space within the tank, said roof having a depending peripheral skirt located within the sealing liquid so as to confine the gaseous medium within the tank,

from the tank and providing a support for rollers having guiding contact with each post, cable means extending between adjacent posts andoperatively connecting theposts to control upward movement and also descent of the same, and sheaves supported by said girder and having contact with the intermediate portion of each cable 

